Annual Events

January 7- RUSSIAN CHRISTMAS AND STARRING

For information, call St. Michael’s Cathedral, (907) 747-8120 or write, St. Michael’s Cathedral, P.O. Box 697, Sitka, Alaska 99835.

February 3-5 - SITKA JAZZ FESTIVAL and ALL–ALASKA JAZZ BAND

Enjoy a variety of jazz! Now in our 16th year, the mission of the Sitka Jazz Festival is to bring professional jazz musicians from around the world to the rural community of Sitka to teach, inspire, and perform. www.sitkajazzfestival.com

February 14 - Banff Film Festival

Banff Film Fest Sitka will host the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour, bringing the spirit of outdoor adventure to the Sitka Performing Arts Center at 6:30pm. For more information contact Natalie at 747-0578.

February 13 - Sitka Music Festival ALASKA AIRLINES WINTER CLASSICS CONCERT SERIES

It may be cold outside, but the musicians of the Sitka Music Festival will provide plenty of heat and excitement to warm up your winter. Call (907) 747-6774 for tickets. www.sitkamusicfestival.org

March 1-31- SAC ROE HERRING FISHERY- Dates Depend Upon the Fish!
Wildlife is generally abundant as the herring gather and spawn in Sitka waters. The actual herring fishery is “on call” and the opening is announced by Alaska Dept. of Fish & Game. For a list of other watchable wildlife, call the Sitka Convention and Visitors Bureau, (907) 747-5940 or email: scvb@sitka.org

March 2-10 - Sitka ArtiGras
ArtiGras, Sitka’s Music & Arts Festival, is entering its 5th year. This year’s ArtiGras will feature the 4th Annual Wearable Art Fashion & Runway Extravaganza as well as songwriters workshops, small Café Concerts, art demonstrations and a Gallery Walk.   (907) 747-6080; sitkaartigras@gmail.com; www.artigras.info

End of March - TRADITIONAL BLESSING OF THE FLEET
This annual Blessing is given to Sitka’s Fishing Fleet at 2 pm. (907) 747-3338.

May - National Bike Month
In 2008 Sitka became the first community in Alaska to be designated a “Bicycle Friendly Community” by the Washington D.C. based League of American Bicyclists.  Sitka is a great town to bike around, whether you’re going down our new multi-use path that takes you to Whale Park, going through the forest on the new bike-ready section of the Cross Trail or just cruising around town.  Wherever you are riding, remember to have fun and be safe.

May 3-13 - Ocean Wave Quilters Mother's Day Quilt Show
An event sponsored by the Oceanwave Quilters Guild showing new and historic quilts.

May 5 - Welcome to Sitka Day
Celebration of the season’s first large cruise ship in Sitka. Enjoy music, Native dancers and New Archangel Dancers under the Crescent Harbor Shelter. Other events, tba, throughout the day. Greater Sitka Chamber of Commerce. (907) 747-8604 or jen@sitkachamber.com.

May 19 - 26th ANNUAL JULIE HUGHES TRIATHLON
9 am at the Hames Athletic & Wellness Center.  Registration is day before.  The 6 mile run, 10 mile bike ride and 1,000 meter swim also has a short course for participants age 12 and under. $20 fee. All cyclists are required to have a bicycle safety check prior to the event. Athletes can compete on a team or individually. For information call Susan (907) 747-0519.

May 26-28 and June 2, 3 - SITKA SALMON DERBY
Catch prize-winning fish in the sparkling waters of Sitka. Cash or prizes. Contact the Sitka Sportsman’s Association. For information write PO Box 3030, Sitka, Alaska 99835 or phone (907) 747-6790.

June 8-July 7: SITKA SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL - Celebrating 41 years!
Showcasing classical chamber music, the internationally assembled musicians of the Sitka Summer Music Festival perform ten evening concerts at Harrigan Hall renowned for its breathtaking views of Sitka Sound. Other activities include Brown Bag Lunch Concert Series, Community Concert and Ice Cream Social, Crab Feed, Boat Party, Coffee Concert Cruise and Chocolate Rhapsody Dessert Party. For schedule or ticket information, contact the Summer Music Festival: PO Box 3333, Sitka, Alaska 99835, (907) 277-4852 www.sitkamusicfestival.org; email:director@sitkamusicfestival.org

June ? - Red Dirt BBQ

6pm to midnight at the Sea Mountain Golf Course. Live Texas country band music, dancing and BBQ. All proceeds go to the organizations Autism Speaks and South East Independent Living Program (SAIL). Contact Seimeen Bone at indiecountrymusic@gmail.com.

June 7-July 10 - SITKA FINE ARTS CAMP at Sheldon Jackson Campus
Since 1973, the Fine Arts Camp has been attracting students ages 12-18 from Alaska and beyond to study the fine arts of theater, dance, music, visual arts, writing and Alaska Native arts. First class professional artists and skilled teachers are recruited throughout the country. For more information, contact: Sitka Fine Arts Camp, P O Box 3086, Sitka, AK 99835 - (907) 747-3085 or email: rschmidt@fineartscamp.org; www.fineartscamp.org

June 25 - Sitka Chamber Golf Tournament Beginners and experienced golfers are welcome to play!

July 2-4 - FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION
A grand celebration complete with parade, demonstrations, game and food booths, softball tournament, dance, and fireworks display. Call the Greater Sitka Chamber of Commerce (907) 747-8604 or email: jen@sitkachamber.com.

July 07, 2012 - September 15, 2012: Sitka Farmers Market
Recurring every 2 weeks Saturday, ANB Hall, 235 Katlian Street
Vendors selling fresh local produce, baked goods, jams & jellies, fresh frozen local fish, local art and hand crafts. There will aslo be prepared foods such as grilled black cod for sale. Live music.

July 20-21: Home Skillet Music Fest
All ages music festival featuring local and out of town bands. Soul, Hip Hop, Blues and Garage Style Rock n Roll. Admission.  www.homeskilletrecords.com

Jul 21 - Alpine Adventure Run

The 19th Running of the Alpine Adventure Run Registration will open on Wednesday, May 2 at 7 AM (Alaska Time). The run is limited to 75 runners. The challenging 7 mile mountain run starts at St. Gregory's Catholic Church, heads up Gavan Hilll and follows the trail along the Harbor Mountain rim. Registration fee of $35 includes a T-shirt. If you have any questions please contact Chris Horan at 747-6471 or email horan@acsalaska.net

August 10 and 11- Sitka Seafood Festival
A Festival to experience Alaska's wild and sustainable seafood through entertainment, education and culinary delights.

September 1-3: Labor Day Weekend MUDBALL CLASSIC SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT
This annual Labor Day Weekend tournament invites softball teams around the nation to play in Sitka. www.sitkasoftball.com

September 29 - 18th Annual Running of the Boots and Season's End Celebration
Sitka’s answer to Spain’s “Running of the Bulls” -- Pull on your boots and wear your zaniest costume! Lots of prize categories! Proceeds benefit the Sitka Local Foods Network/Sitka Farmers Market. For more information on all the festivities, call (907) 966-3066; www.sitkalocalfoodsnetwork.org/. Check www.sitkachamber.com for more info about Season's End Celebration or call the Greater Sitka Chamber of Commerce (907) 747-8604 or email: jen@sitkachamber.com.

October 5 -19 - ALASKA DAY FESTIVAL
“In this place, Sitka, Alaska, on October 18, 1867, the great land of Alaska was transferred from Russia to the United States.” Celebration of this historical event include ceremonies, a period costume ball, dances, dinners, contests, and a parade. Contact committee member Helen Cunningham at (907) 747-6738 or www.alaskadayfestival.org. Special Alaska Airlines rates!

Month of November - NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL
For information on the wide variety of activities, including the annual Fashion Show. Please call Sitka Tribe of Alaska (907) 747-3207; www.sitkatribe.org

November 1-4: 16th ANNUAL SITKA WHALEFEST
Educational lectures from biologists and speakers, concert, marine tours, and more! Space is limited! Advance reservations recommended toguarantee admission to all events. For information, call the Sitka Whalefest Committee at (907) 747-7964 or email director@sitkawhalefest.org.  Sitka Whalefest, PO Box 6004, Sitka, AK 99835 USA (907) 747-7964; www.sitkawhalefest.org

November – December - SITKA’S HOLIDAY FEST
A celebration of the holidays including the Christmas Bazaar, parade, Polar Dip, Christmas concerts, and extended shopping hours. For details check the Daily Sitka Sentinel.

Date TBA - LANDLUBBER’S PARADE
This annual Christmas parade walks the downtown area in celebration of the holiday season.

November 9-11: The 12TH SITKA ARTISANS MARKET
Held at Harrigan Centennial Hall.  It is a quality retail shopping experience, featuring hand-crafted items, primarily made in Alaska. Proceeds support the Greater Sitka Chamber of Commerce. (907) 747-8604; jen@sitkachamber.com; www.sitkachamber.com/sitka-artisans-market.html

WHALE WATCHING - The pristine waters around Sitka are a popular feeding ground for humpback whales as they migrate South. View whales from our viewing station at Whale Park, or visit the Sitka Convention & Visitors Bureau website, www.sitka.org or pg. 15 of this guide or its website, www.travelsitka.com, for a list of wildlife boat charter operators who can take you to see these amazing marine mammals.